Joint Agency Program Helps Local Veterans Find Jobs

Jeff McKnight

GSA Welcomes Two Veterans through Operation Warfighter to its Denver Office

The US General Services Administration is partnering with the Department of Defense’s Operation Warfighter to increase job opportunities for veterans. Operation Warfighter is a temporary assignment program that allows service members on medical hold to gain valuable federal government work experience that will help them transition into the workforce.

Since last year, GSA has been able to place two program participants in its Denver office.

“Operation Warfighter breaks down barriers by giving recuperating veterans a way to improve their employment readiness and potentially move into a permanent job,” said Susan Damour, GSA Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator.

In September 2011, the Rocky Mountain Region GSA started working with Operation Warfighter participant Jeffrey McKnight from Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs. Based on his interests and skills; he was matched up with an opportunity to work with GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service and eventually earned a career development position as a Budget Analyst working in the Business Management Division.

Nathan Bolema

Sergeant Nathan Bolema, another participant matched through the program, secured a position as a building manager at GSA’s downtown Cesar E. Chavez Memorial Building. "Operation Warfighter is an opportunity too good to pass up. It’s been a huge learning experience in terms of adapting to a new work culture. That is a challenge for anybody and really amplified for transitioning from a soldier to a civilian,” said Sergeant Nathan Bolema. “It has given me a leg up on the competition for transitioning out of the Army and provided me with the knowledge and skills to hopefully land a career development position with GSA."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, 21.6 million men and women ages 18 and over were veterans. About three million of those veterans reported having a service-connected disability. Operation Warfighter affords GSA the opportunity to take advantage of the considerable talent, strong work ethic, and technical skills that veterans are known to already have.

Operation Warfighter is another means for federal agencies like GSA to do their part in helping give back to the service members who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Visit FedsHireVets.gov for more information on federal veteran employment. For questions about the program, call 703-428-7561 or email Jennifer.Anderson.ctr@osd.mil.